Get ready for UCSF Grad Slam! The popular annual research communications contest — organized by Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs (GEPA) — returns on Tuesday, April 7 as part of UCSF’s celebration of National Graduate Student Appreciation Week.
We are excited to announce this year’s ten finalists, selected by a panel of screening judges. These PhD candidates will share their research stories in accessible 3-minute talks as they compete for cash prizes of $4,000, $2,000, $1,000, and $750 at the live event on Tuesday, April 7. The top prize winner will go on to compete in the UC systemwide Grad Slam competition later in April.
Christine Boutros
Neuroscience Program / Medical Scientist Training Program
Michael Wilson, MD, faculty mentor
Brandon Courteau
Tetrad Program
Natalia Jura, PhD and Kliment Verba, PhD, faculty mentors
Ruth Groza
Tetrad Program
Angela Phillips, PhD, faculty mentor
Nadja Michelle Maldonado Luna
Bioengineering Program
Tamara Alliston, PhD, faculty mentor
Mika Matera-Vatnick
Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program / Medical Scientist Training Program
Peter Turnbaugh, PhD, faculty mentor
Lexi Schneider
Biomedical Sciences Program
Andrew Yang, PhD and Jason Cyster, PhD, faculty mentors
Rafaella Shima
Tetrad Program
Peter Turnbaugh, PhD, faculty mentor
Vanna Tran
Tetrad Program
Sophie Dumont, PhD, faculty mentor
Sarah Wade
Neuroscience Program
Anna Molofsky, MD, PhD, faculty mentor
Jacqueline Williams
Biological and Medical Informatics Program
Jill Hollenbach, PhD, MPH, faculty mentor
Grad Slam challenges PhD students to present a compelling research story about their dissertation research in three minutes or less, using language that not only their peers but also non-specialists will understand. The intention of Grad Slam is to incentivize students to clarify their ideas and to help others appreciate and understand their work. Grad Slam contests are now held at all 10 UC campuses, and a UC-wide event – featuring the top Grad Slam winners from each campus – will be held on April 22.
Mark your calendar for Tuesday, April 7, at 4 p.m. PDT, and plan to join us either in person in Byers Auditorium at Mission Bay, or tune into the live stream.
Read more about the annual Grad Slam competition.